Fragmented Thigh Injury: Treatment With Prebiotics, Nanoparticles, and Cell Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of staged local treatment of an infected mine-explosive wound using a gel containing Bacillus spp., cerium oxide nanoparticles, and cell therapy. Object and Methods. The article presents a clinical case demonstrating the effective staged treatment of a 57-year-old patient with a fragmentary fracture of the right femur and a large purulent wound of the right thigh. The patient underwent Ex-fix rod-type femur-tibia stabilization and resection of a post-traumatic aneurysm of the right superficial femoral artery. In the first stage of treatment, two sessions of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) were applied, with pressures ranging from 75-115 mm Hg and a session duration of 4-5 days. In the second stage, local treatment involved a combination of antiseptics and probiotics (Bacillus spp.) alongside cerium oxide nanoparticles. By the 7th day, the eradication of pathogenic microflora was achieved, allowing for the third stage of treatment—application of autologous mesenchymal stem cells. Results: The treatment of combat trauma has become increasingly relevant in Ukraine and globally due to its complexity and the rising proportion of multiple and combined injuries, which account for 25-60% of cases. Infectious complications occur in 25% of combat trauma cases and are responsible for 70% of related deaths. Most structural and functional disorders associated with wound infections develop at the time of injury, intensify over time, and require immediate surgical intervention, improvements in local treatment methods, and new approaches for wound closure. Conclusions: The use of a combination of probiotics and NPWT therapy led to a rapid reduction of the inflammatory process. Clinical observations showed accelerated wound cleansing from fibrin and necrotic tissue. The combined treatment significantly reduced the size and depth of wound due to the formation of active pink granulation tissue (observed by days 8-9) and marginal epithelialization by days 10-13. During this period, no pathogenic flora were detected, allowing for the subsequent application of autologous mesenchymal stem cells. This treatment approach reduced the need for antibacterial drugs and prevented the need for additional surgical interventions. The inclusion of cerium oxide nanoparticles was an effective enhancement for cell transplantation, facilitating stem cell delivery and contributing to the treatment of large wounds.